NHL Predictions 2006-07

It’s time for yet another annual instalment of Screen Shots’ preseason predictions.

The margin separating the NHL’s 16 playoff teams from its also-rans is as slim as it has ever been. Bear that in mind before you burst a blood vessel — or 17 — with your bug-eyed, furious response to the guess job that follows.

eastern conference

1. Ottawa Senators

It’s always tough to kiss Zdeno Chara goodbye, and not just because you have to obtain the proper security clearance from air traffic control authorities weeks in advance. Marty Havlat’s move to Chicago stings a little, too. However, with former Hurricanes starter Martin Gerber in net and underrated defensive additions Joe Corvo and Tom Preissing, this Sens squad is better equipped for a lengthy playoff run than any edition before it.

2. Carolina Hurricanes

Everybody says the pressure is on goalie Cam Ward to prove his Conn Smythe-winning form can be maintained through an 82-game schedule. Everybody also says Carolina took some significant personnel hits in the off-season when they lost Gerber, Aaron Ward, Matt Cullen, Doug Weight, and Mark Recchi. Everybody is right on both counts. But the ‘Canes steamrolled over the league in the regular season and weathered some nasty storms in the playoffs. There’s no reason to suspect that’ll change radically this year.

3. New Jersey Devils

We picked the Devils to finish ninth last season, reasoning that even master GM Lou Lamoriello couldn’t adequately patch up a blue line that had lost cornerstones Scott Niedermayer and Scott Stevens. We all saw what happened. So if you think we’re about to predict a similar drop in New Jersey’s fortunes given that defensemen Paul Martin and David Hale still haven’t signed contracts, you’re fooling yourself worse than the bride at the Minnelli-Gest wedding.

4. New York Rangers

Do a lot of things have to happen for the Rangers to stay in the playoff race this year? You bet. It starts with the attitude of No. 68 and ends with sophomore goalie Henrik Lundqvist staying as sharp as he was last year. Still, few GMs made out as well as Glen Sather this summer, and the offensive contributions of new Blueshirts Brendan Shanahan and Matt Cullen will help coach Tom Renney cope with a so-so defensive corps.

5. Buffalo Sabres

Their taste in uniform redesigns aside, the Sabres have done little to laugh at of late. Their fruitful farm system and stable management team have produced a young, swift and determined core of players who should be able to continue winning, even after losing key defensive contributors Jay McKee and Mike Grier to unrestricted free agency. But that yellow thing on the jersey is a fashion abomination to rival bellbottom pants and Don Cherry.

Find out what’s in store for the Leafs, and other flops to look forward to…